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About fostering

Fostering can change a child or young person’s life — and yours too.

This page brings together some of the fostering guidance you need, helping you understand what fostering feels like, what it asks of you, and the difference you could make by opening your home and heart.

Older teen plaiting a younger girl’s hair, showing nurturing relationships in foster families

The children and young people

Children and young people need fostering for many different reasons. It is never their fault that they are placed in care.

Find out more
Muslim foster carers cuddling and playing with two siblings, showing a loving and inclusive foster home

Who can foster?

Almost anyone can foster. Find out more about who can foster with Action for Children Fostering.

Teenage boy studying at his own desk in his bedroom, showing a space to grow and thrive

A room to call their own

Fostering and the importance of a spare room to our children and young people.

Extended family meeting with a social worker over tea, reflecting open and supportive fostering

Fostering and my family

Fostering can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for the whole family.

Child meeting foster carer for the first time

Types of fostering

There are lots of different types of foster care and you can choose which type you provide* - whatever works best for you.

Social worker introducing two siblings to their new foster family during a warm doorstep welcome

Big welcome

Welcoming young people into a foster home. We work with children and young people to make sure they have the best experience possible when they move to a new home.

Foster carer listening patiently to an upset teenage boy during a challenging moment

Opportunities and challenges

Action for Children Fostering recognises that the role of a foster carer is not always easy.

- Foster family with three children and two carers walking a dog in the woods, highlighting the benefits of fosterin

Why foster?

Fostering a child is more than just giving them a home. It can be the turning point in their life.

- Boy and girl baking with their foster carer, reflecting guidance and everyday support - Foster carer helping two children bake, showing the caring, hands‑on role of fostering If you want it to feel more focused on teaching, bonding, or everyday life, I

The role of a foster carer

Fostering is life changing and life enhancing. It’s a vocation and a role beyond the 9-5. Foster carers do more than parent a young person.

Same‑sex couple laughing and playing with their foster child, showing the joy of fostering

What is fostering really like?

There’s no better way to answer this question than for you to hear it from our foster carers themselves…